Lloyd..your eyes.

Hey everyone! So, you might have seen my little post about redrawing Lloyd's eyes, but I wanted to share a bit more about the whole journey of creating this Lloyd the Lion fanart. It wasn't just about the eyes, though they were definitely the trickiest part! First off, why Lloyd? Well, if you're familiar with #indigopark, you know he's such a vibrant and expressive cartoon character. I just fell in love with his design – that iconic orange and red fur, the cute heart-shaped blue nose, and of course, those striking blue eyes. I'd been wanting to try my hand at some fanart for a while, and when the idea for a video popped into my head, I knew Lloyd would be the perfect star. My process usually starts with a rough sketch, even for digital drawings. I like to get the pose and general emotion down on paper (or a digital canvas, in this case!) before diving into the details. For this piece, I wanted Lloyd to be looking directly at the viewer, almost inviting them into his world. This is where the eye challenge began! When you're doing a digital drawing, especially for a character like Lloyd, getting the proportions right is crucial. I spent a lot of time adjusting the initial lines, using the drawing application's UI elements to zoom in and out – sometimes up to a 213.5% zoom level! – to make sure every curve of his fur and every angle of his face was just right. The orange and red fur can be quite tricky to shade to give it that fluffy, vibrant look without making it too busy. I experimented with different brush textures to capture that softness. But back to those eyes! As I mentioned, I was drawing Lloyd for a video, and the goal was to make him feel like he was engaging directly with the "camera." You know how it is when an animated character just looks at you? That's what I was aiming for. His blue eyes are such a focal point, and getting the right angle and reflection to create that direct gaze was surprisingly hard. I probably redrew them at least five times, tweaking the pupils, the highlights, and even the subtle curves of the eyelids. Sometimes, you just have to step away and come back with fresh eyes (pun intended!) to see what's off. Beyond the eyes, I really enjoyed working on his other signature details, like the neat blue bow tie. It adds such a charming touch to his overall look. Capturing the texture and slight sheen of the fabric made him feel even more real. If you're thinking of trying your own fanart, especially of a beloved character, my biggest tip is to pay attention to those small details that make them unique. And don't be afraid to redraw things! Art is a process, and sometimes the best results come from iterating and refining. Sharing your work, even the tricky bits, can be a great way to connect with other fans and artists. What character would you love to draw next? Let me know!